Princess of Sky, Earth, Fire and Water by Cassandra Finnerty

In 1772, amidst the ancient ruins and standing stones of western Ireland, a young woman inherits an army, a fleet of ships, and special powers.
To keep her magic, she journeys to the East Kingdom and meets her greatest challenge — a warrior prince whose love threatens to destroy them both.
Together, they face ruthless enemies and royal intrigue, fighting for survival and a chance for enduring love.

What Inspired You to Write Your Book?
Most women of this era had limited control over their lives.
They focused on survival.
Few owned property.
There were major social constraints — what to wear, how to speak, whom to marry.
I wanted to create an historical fantasy where the heroine was empowered to travel, meet people and help others — all on her own terms.

How Did You Come up With Your Characters?
I imagined what it would be like to have your whole world change in an instant — making everything you’ve ever known seem distant and unreal.
A character who can survive those circumstances needs to be courageous and driven.
But I also wanted the heroine to have many flaws.

In the series, she struggles with her magic and searches for the best way to use her powers.
Aisling battles with herself, men, magic, nature — and ultimately, love — revealing her strengths and vulnerabilities.

Aisling’s love interest, the Fifth Prince, needed to be strong in his own right — fierce enough to survive in a treacherous kingdom and strong enough to deal with a powerful woman.

Book Sample
“The men had stared as she boarded the ship in her new ensemble, grappling with the concept of a woman commander.
If they knew her secrets, she was sure that caution would escalate into something more potent…
As they passed Clare Island, the cries of the herring gulls and black guillemots resounded over the jagged, charcoal cliffs.
A thin veil of fog swirled into Clew Bay, and the ships sailed into the mist.”